Fifty-six percent of New York City voters say they are worse off financially than they were a year
ago, with 24 percent who are better off and 19 percent who are the same, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. That includes 54 percent of white voters, 54 percent of
black voters and 61 percent of Hispanic voters who say things got worse.

Only 28 percent expect their personal finances to get better in the next year, with 23
percent who expect them to get worse and 43 percent who say they will stay the same, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Only 22 percent of whites say
things will get better, compared to 37 percent of blacks and 33 percent of Hispanics.

A total of 49 percent of voters say their finances are "excellent" or "good," while 49
percent say they are "not so good" or "poor." A total of 62 percent of whites, 40 percent of
blacks and 35 percent of Hispanics say their finances are "excellent" or "good."

They will spend less on gifts this holiday season, 58 percent of New York City voters say.
That includes 49 percent of white voters who are cutting back, compared to 62 percent of black
voters and 65 percent of Hispanics. And 41 percent say that because of the economy, they've
changed plans for a holiday trip and decided to stay in the City. Only 27 percent of whites say
they have cancelled a holiday trip, compared to 51 percent of blacks and 55 percent of Hispanics.

"It's a blue, blue Christmas in New York this year, with people feeling the economic pain,
buying less and cutting back on holiday travel," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas
Schwartz, PhD. "The economic pain is being felt especially by blacks and Hispanics.

"But blacks and Hispanics are much more optimistic than whites that things will get
better."

Holiday Activities

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 15 percent of New York City voters
say 'The Tree' is their favorite thing to do or see in New York during the holidays. Other choices
include:

12 percent say Rockefeller Center;

11 percent list visiting family and friends;

9 percent choose shopping;

8 percent say decorations/lights/displays;

7 percent say Radio City Music Hall;

5 percent say Fifth Avenue window displays.

Seven percent of New Yorkers plan to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade in person,
while 52 percent plan to see it on television.

"In tough economic times, it's good to know there are things to do in New York City for
the cost of a subway ride, as long as people can still afford the subway ride," Dr. Schwartz said.

From November 18 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,594 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-
5201.

17. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as:
Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

TREND: Thinking about your Thanksgiving holiday celebration this year - Do you
plan to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, on television, or don't you
plan to watch the parade this Thanksgiving?